Abstract: Systems, methods, and devices for preparation of water for various uses including blood treatment are described. In embodiments, fluid is passed either by pump or passively by gravity feed, through various filtration elements from a fluid source to a treatment fluid container. The latter forms a batch that may be used during treatment. Methods and systems for creating multiple-treatment batches are described. Advantages of creating a multitreatment batch include the fact that the burden of treatment preparation can be reduced and the timing of the preparation of the batch can be independent of the treatment time. As described, there are various trade-offs and concerns with this approach which are addressed by the inventive embodiments.

Abstract: A frangible RFID tag includes a substrate having at least one weakened area, an RFID chip and an antenna. The RFID chip and the antenna are located on the substrate and the antenna is electrically connected to the RFID chip. The RFID tag also includes a plurality of adhesive areas applied to the underside of the substrate. The adhesive areas allow the RFID tag to be secured to an object. The adhesive areas may be spaced from one another to form at least one gap between the adhesive areas. The gap(s) may be located under the at least one weakened area.

Abstract: Systems, methods, and devices for preparation of water for various uses including blood treatment are described. In embodiments, fluid is passed through a first filtration step which is effective for creating purified water and a pair of ultrafilters placed at the outlet. The ultrafilters are separated by an intervening flow path to prevent grow-through from the outlet end upstream. In embodiments, a recirculation path with an air removing filter helps to eliminate air from the ultimate product water.

Abstract: Systems, methods, and devices for preparation of water for various uses including blood treatment are described. In embodiments, fluid is passed through a first filtration step which is effective for creating purified water and a pair of ultrafilters placed at the outlet. The ultrafilters are separated by an intervening flow path to prevent grow-through from the outlet end upstream. In embodiments, a recirculation path with an air removing filter helps to eliminate air from the ultimate product water.

Abstract: A method for securing an RFID tag to an object includes providing an RFID tag and placing the RFID tag on the object. The RFID tag has an RFID chip and an antenna electrically connected to the RFID chip. The RFID tag also has a first and second opening extending through the RFID tag. The object has a first and second protrusion extending from a surface of the object. The first and second protrusions extend through the first and second openings when the RFID tag is placed on the object. The method also includes melting the first and second protrusions to create a single integral boss that covers at least a portion of the RFID tag and secures the RFID tag to the object. The chip may be nonfunctional prior to the securement process.

Abstract: A frangible RFID tag includes a substrate having at least one weakened area, an RFID chip and an antenna. The RFID chip and the antenna are located on the substrate and the antenna is electrically connected to the RFID chip. The RFID tag also includes a plurality of adhesive areas applied to the underside of the substrate. The adhesive areas allow the RFID tag to be secured to an object. The adhesive areas may be spaced from one another to form at least one gap between the adhesive areas. The gap(s) may be located under the at least one weakened area.

Abstract: Systems, methods, and devices for preparation of water for various uses including blood treatment are described. In embodiments, fluid is passed either by pump or passively by gravity feed, through various filtration elements from a fluid source to a treatment fluid container. The latter forms a batch that may be used during treatment. The advantage of forming the batch before treatment is that the rate of filtering needn't match the rate of consumption during treatment which provides multiple benefits and liabilities to overcome, as discussed herein. Mechanisms for preparing pure water for infusion or medicaments are described such as elimination of chlorine and colloidal aluminum. Also various control mechanisms to help avoid contamination are describe.

Abstract: Systems, methods, and devices for preparation of water for various uses including blood treatment are described. In embodiments, fluid is passed through a first filtration step which is effective for creating purified water and a pair of ultrafilters placed at the outlet. The ultrafilters are separated by an intervening flow path to prevent grow-through from the outlet end upstream. In embodiments, a recirculation path with an air removing filter helps to eliminate air from the ultimate product water.

Abstract: Systems, methods, and devices for preparation of water for various uses including blood treatment are described. In embodiments, fluid is passed either by pump or passively by gravity feed, through various filtration elements from a fluid source to a treatment fluid container. The latter forms a batch that may be used during treatment. The advantage of forming the batch before treatment is that the rate of filtering needn't match the rate of consumption during treatment which provides multiple benefits and liabilities to overcome, as discussed herein. Mechanisms for preparing pure water for infusion or medicaments are described such as elimination of chlorine and colloidal aluminum. Also various control mechanisms to help avoid contamination are describe.

Abstract: Systems, methods, and devices for preparation of water for various uses including blood treatment are described. In embodiments, fluid is passed either by pump or passively by gravity feed, through various filtration elements from a fluid source to a treatment fluid container. The latter forms a batch that may be used during treatment. The advantage of forming the batch before treatment is that the rate of filtering needn't match the rate of consumption during treatment which provides multiple benefits and liabilities to overcome, as discussed herein. Mechanisms for preparing pure water for infusion or medicaments are described such as elimination of chlorine and colloidal aluminum. Also various control mechanisms to help avoid contamination are describe.

Abstract: Systems, methods, and devices for preparation of water for various uses including blood treatment are described. In embodiments, fluid is passed either by pump or passively by gravity feed, through various filtration elements from a fluid source to a treatment fluid container. The latter forms a batch that may be used during treatment. The advantage of forming the batch before treatment is that the rate of filtering needn't match the rate of consumption during treatment which provides multiple benefits and liabilities to overcome, as discussed herein. Mechanisms for preparing pure water for infusion or medicaments are described such as elimination of chlorine and colloidal aluminum. Also various control mechanisms to help avoid contamination are describe.

Abstract: Systems, methods, and devices for preparation of water for various uses including blood treatment are described. In embodiments, fluid is passed either by pump or passively by gravity feed, through various filtration elements from a fluid source to a treatment fluid container The latter forms a batch that may be used during treatment. Methods and systems for creating multiple-treatment batches are described. Advantages of creating a multitreatment batch include the fact that the burden of treatment preparation can be reduced and the timing of the preparation of the batch can be independent of the treatment time. As described, there are various trade-offs and concerns with this approach which are addressed by the inventive embodiments.

Abstract: A thin gel for separating and detecting a target molecule, (e.g., an analyte) and methods of use thereof is described. The gel can be optionally reinforced to facilitate removal from an electrophoretic apparatus, wherein the gel matrix comprises immobilized (e.g., covalently bound) capture probes capable of specifically hybridizing with, or binding to, the analyte to be detected. The gel is thin and very short assay times can be achieved facilitating rapid detection of analytes. An assay apparatus is suitable for use with an electrophoretic assay system for the detection of, or separation and detection of an analyte in a biological sample is also described.

Abstract: An investment casting shell is made by providing an investment casting pattern that defines a cavity and filling the cavity with a fluid. The fluid is sealed within the cavity and a ceramic material is applied to the exterior of the pattern. The ceramic-encased pattern is heated and the pattern and fluid are removed from the ceramic.

Abstract: A method of injection molding includes the steps of providing a source of pressurized flowable material, a source of pressurized fluid, and a mold assembly actuatable from an open position to a closed position. The mold assembly includes first and second matable mold portions that define a substantially sealed cavity, an inflatable core member positioned within the substantially sealed cavity and secured to the first mold portion, a pressurized fluid path from the source of pressurized fluid through the first mold portion to the inflatable core member, and a flowable material path from the source of pressurized flowable material into the cavity. The pressurized fluid is introduced into the inflatable core member at a first pressure to provide an inflated core member that defines a core boundary and the pressurized flowable material is injected into a space defined by the cavity and the core boundary at a pressure less than the first pressure.

Abstract: A bone fixation device is provided that includes a retaining member fabricated from a biocompatible material. First and second biocompatible cables are permanently secured at one end to respective first and second sides of the retaining member. A cable crimp is used to bind the free portions of the first and second cables. Cable guides on the retaining member establish an alignment angle for the cables with respect to the longitudinal axis of the retaining member. The retaining member can include gripping members.